Almond's General Contracting

Our Family ordered a Metal roof to be installed on 9/16/2021. We wrote the contractor a check for $8,000 for half of the total estimate in which he cashed. Time went by and Christopher Almond the owner, stated continually he is having issues getting the material, which was understandable in this time of supply shortages. He then tried to pressure us to get something else and a different color. We still wanted the metal roof. He then stated he got the materials and is ready to install. Then there was silence, and not returning our calls. He kept ignoring us. He finally reached out an we kept pressing when he would install. We did say we would get legal involved. And then he said in writing in a text message that he is not going to do the job, He will not return our $8,000. He even said that he is keeping the material which he claims he spent over $10,000 on it. And that we have to take him to court to get it. All in writing via text message. He said he is not doing any of it because we said we would take him to court. He believes that is why he is allowed to keep out $8,000 deposit, or not finish the job, or at least give us the materials he claims he purchased. I am 71 years old, and cannot understand why he would take advantage of us like this. I have a signed contract with both of our signatures and the amount given with the check #. We have the bank statement showing he cashed it. and to top it all off, I could not find our Large roof extension ladder, so i was looking through video footage, and Christopher Almond put it on top of his van and stole it. We filed a police report yesterday. I don't understand what is happening if his business is going down to steal our deposit. We mentioned that to the cops when they took the report on the ladder, and they said to sue him.